Washington, DC, 7 April 2025 – In commemoration of World Health Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) convened a virtual dialogue to reaffirm regional commitment to ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths in the Americas.
Held under the theme "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures—Accelerating the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in the Americas," the event emphasized the urgent need to strengthen equitable access to quality maternal and newborn care across the Region, particularly for the most vulnerable.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Assistant Director of PAHO, who underscored the moral and public health imperative of investing in maternal and neonatal health.
“Every two minutes, a woman dies from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. These deaths are preventable. They are not statistics – they are mothers, daughters, and community leaders,” said Dr. Sealey-Thomas. “Improving maternal and neonatal health is not optional—it is essential to achieving health equity in our Region.”
She also recalled the 2024 call to action issued by PAHO’s Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, and stressed the need for renewed collective commitment to achieving the goal of zero preventable maternal deaths. “We must work tirelessly to ensure that every birth happens under the best possible conditions. This requires respectful, timely, and quality care—and a strong commitment from governments, civil society, and communities alike,” she added.
Dr. Traci Baird, President and CEO of Engender Health, addressed key challenges and opportunities in the fight against maternal and neonatal mortality, calling for integrated and rights-based approaches.
“We cannot improve maternal and newborn health, or advance the rights of women and girls, unless we address the systems that block access to care and deny reproductive autonomy,” said Dr. Traci Baird, President and CEO of EngenderHealth. “Health must be rights-affirming, equity must be intentional, and dignity in healthcare is non-negotiable.”
Dr. Jenny Cresswell, Scientist at the World Health Organization, Dr. Jenny Cresswell, Scientist at the World Health Organization, presented the new global and regional estimates released today in the UN report Trends in Maternal Mortality.
“Maternal mortality remains unacceptably high and is one of the starkest indicators of global inequality,” Cresswell said. “Progress is possible, but achieving the global target by 2030 will require urgent and unprecedented investment in maternal health—especially in the regions and communities that are being left behind.”
The event also featured a panel titled “Country perspectives: examples from countries that have implemented an innovative plan to improve maternal and neonatal health,” moderated by Dr. Suzanne Serruya, Unit Chief for Women, Neonatal and Reproductive Health at PAHO. Health authorities from Uruguay, Nicaragua, St. Lucia and Brazil shared national strategies that have yielded promising results in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.
The Minister of Health of Uruguay, Dr. Cristina Lustemberg, presented policy actions the country has implemented to enhance integrated maternal care and reduce inequalities in access to services. “Uruguay has advanced with rights-based public policies, ensuring free access to contraception, safe childbirth, and voluntary termination of pregnancy across the country,” said Cristina Lustemberg, Minister of Health of Uruguay. “But persistent challenges remain—territorial, gender, and social inequalities continue to impact maternal health. Our commitment is clear: to innovate, invest, and collaborate so that all people can exercise their reproductive rights on equal footing.”
“In Nicaragua, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality is a national priority backed by strong political will and community engagement,” said Dr. Maribel Hernández Muñoz, Maternal Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health of Nicaragua. “Through a network of over 180 maternity homes (Casas Maternas) community health teams, and early risk screening strategies, we ensure continuous accompaniment and care for women throughout pregnancy—especially in remote areas.”
Dr. Alisha Eugen-Ford, Director of Universal Health Coverage at the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs of St. Lucia, highlighted progress in strengthening community-based care and outreach in rural areas. “Through our Universal Health Coverage project, Saint Lucia has removed financial barriers to essential prenatal diagnostics—ensuring that all pregnant women, regardless of where they seek care, can access ultrasounds and lab services at no cost,” she said. “But removing barriers is only the first step. We are now analyzing our outcomes to understand how we can translate access into improved perinatal results and more equitable health for mothers and babies.”
“Brazil is working to expand equitable access to maternal health services, particularly for women who face systemic barriers to care,” said Camila Gasparro, Maternal Mortality Response Coordinator, under the General Coordination for Women’s Health Care from the Ministry of Health of Brazil. “We have set specific targets to reduce maternal mortality among Black women, recognizing that promoting equity means directing resources where they are most urgently needed.”
In her closing remarks, Dr. Serruya emphasized the broader significance of maternal and newborn health, not only for each woman and her newborn, but also for families, communities, and societies as a whole. “The health of mothers and babies is the cornerstone of thriving societies. Saving lives is just the beginning—our responsibility goes beyond survival,” she said. “Investing in respectful care, listening to women’s voices, and addressing health disparities must be central to our agenda if we are to build healthier futures for all.”
PAHO is actively working to reduce preventable maternal deaths across the Region. In June 2024, the PAHO Director launched a call to action to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality. As part of this effort, PAHO presented the Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths Initiative, focused on strengthening health systems, expanding universal health access and coverage, and ensuring that all women—regardless of where they live—have access to high-quality maternal care.
Access the website of the World Health Day campaign: Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures
